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Shopping Guide For The Best Kitchen Sinks

Shopping for a new kitchen sink? You can find just about any shape, size, configuration, material, and color your heart desires. However, making the wrong decision could be costly, so the BestReviews team set out to analyze the market and investigate the product’s range of strengths and weaknesses.

Manufacturers frequently offer us free samples, but at BestReviews, we value impartiality. We always go out and buy what we test, and when we recommend a product, it’s because that product meets our own independent standards of quality and value.

Our current top picks are featured above. Below, you'll find information based on our research on the product to help you select the perfect sink for your kitchen.

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To match your decor, you have the choice of top-mount or bottom-mount sinks, including butler's, farmer's and vessel sink styles.

Kitchen Sink Types

Before you go sink shopping, you’ll need to answer some basic questions. What shape and size do you prefer? How many bowls do you want? And what type of fitment best suits your kitchen configuration?

Kitchen sink considerations

Selecting a Shape

Most kitchen sinks are rectangular in shape. Depending on the material used by the manufacturer, however, virtually any shape is possible. Beyond the basic rectangle, you’ll often see round or triangular sinks in homes.

Triangular corner sinks are common where space is tight, though some people find them cramped.

Round kitchen sinks look nice, but some consider them a waste of space. You can almost always fit a larger rectangle in the same area.

Round sinks look great, but they take up more space than rectangular shaped ones. Consider the amount of space available on your countertop before you make a choice.

Kitchen sink considerations

Selecting a Size

How wide should your sink be? The most popular width is 30 inches; 25 inches is a sensible minimum. However, those who live in cramped quarters may find a 15-inch sink more appropriate.

As for depth, we advise against anything less than five inches deep. A sink that’s nine or ten inches deep provides plenty of capacity while remaining comfortable.

Remember these tips when selecting a sink size:

If the sink is too narrow, you could struggle to fit pots and pans inside.

If the sink is too wide, it might not fit with your existing cabinets.

If the sink is too deep, you might experience back strain or other physical discomfort while standing at it.

If the sink is too shallow, you could end up splashing water all over the place.

Think about whether you want square or rounded internal corners. Curves are easier to clean, but stylistically, they don't look as sleek as square corners do.

Kitchen sink considerations

Choosing a Configuration

Would you prefer a sink with a single, double, or triple bowl?

A single bowl sink is often the cheapest option because it's the easiest to manufacture. A single bowl can exude everything from traditional elegance to stark modern beauty, depending on what it’s made of.

Triple bowl kitchen sinks carry the double bowl idea a step further by including a narrow center bowl dedicated to waste disposal.

Double bowl sinks, for many, strike the balance between a minimal single bowl option and sometimes overboard three bowl sinks.

Kitchen sink considerations

Picking a Fitment

The way your kitchen sink is fitted falls into one of four categories:

Top Mount

Also known as a drop-in, this type of sink is fitted through a hole in the countertop and secured underneath. A lip protrudes around the edge of the sink. It rests on top of the counter to prevent liquids from entering the cabinet below.

Under Mount

This type of sink is similar to the top mount in that a hole is made and the sink is secured from below. (Extra support may also be added). However, this sink has no lip and finishes either flush with the countertop or, according to design preference, beneath it. Installation of an under mount sink requires precision and is best left to professionals.

Cabinet Mount

Most often seen in farmhouse kitchens, the cabinet mount sink is also sometimes called the Butler or Belfast sink. This sink is effectively a standalone unit that rests atop a half-height cabinet.

Seamless (or Integrated)

Because it’s part of the countertop structure, this type of sink is not actually considered a fitment. High-end seamless sinks are costly.

Undermount sinks are best suited for solid surface countertops which use materials such as marble, soapstone, concrete, or granite.

Kitchen Sink Materials

Once you’ve settled on the basics — shape, size, configuration, and fitment — it’s time to determine what kitchen sink material you like best. We lay out the pros and cons of eight common sink materials below.

Stainless steel is a hugely popular kitchen sink material. On today’s market, you’ll find basic, cheap stainless steel sinks as well as complex models that cost a lot more. You’ll find sinks in varying thicknesses, from around 23 gauge (thinnest) to 16 or 17 gauge. Interestingly, tests show no marked increase in durability based on gauge.

Pros: It’s often the cheapest option. Resistant to rust and stains. Durable and easy to clean.

Cons: The industrial look of stainless steel doesn’t appeal to everyone. Hard water and fingerprints can leave marks, and scratches are difficult to remove. It’s easy to clean, but it’s not easy to keep this material looking pristine.

A sink made of stainless steel can be noisier than a sink made of some other materials. If you opt for stainless, we suggest that you choose a model with a sound-absorbing pad underneath.

Acrylic is another popular material choice for consumers who want a cheap kitchen sink. Acrylic sinks are made of polycarbonate and are usually reinforced with fiberglass.

Pros: Available in lots of styles and colors. Lightweight and easily to install as a DIY. Stain-resistant and durable.

Cons: Can scratch and chip (though color is the same all the way through). Excess heat from a hot pan will melt or burn it. Not everyone likes the feel of acrylic.

Graniteorquartz kitchen sinks, also known as faux stone, are not actually made of a homogenous material. Rather, they’re a mixture of 70 to 80% granite or quartz and 20 to 30% polymer resin.

Pros: Looks and feels like natural stone. Quartz is tough; granite is even tougher. Both are unlikely to scratch or chip. High heat resistance (granite composite is rated at over 500°F).

Cons: Frequent cleaning is needed. Material is porous and can stain. Available in matte finish only.

Enamel and porcelain kitchen sinks exude a traditional look that many consumers appreciate, and they’re available in a plethora of colors. Some have a cast iron core; others are built upon cheaper metal alloys.

Cons: Steel versions are not as rigid as cast iron. Because cast iron is extremely heavy, specialist cabinetry may be required. Surfaces can chip or crack. The sink may rust if moisture slips into the sub-structure.

The gleaming white of porcelain looks great but the material is prone to chipping and discoloration if not maintained with care.

Fireclay kitchen sinks are made from clay fired at 1800°F or more, then finished with a thick glaze. This is arguably the best material for those who want a white kitchen sink.

Pros: Very durable; often called “harder than rock.” Resistant to chips, scratches, stains, acids, alkalis, and odors. Easy to clean.

Cons: Available only in white. Faucet cannot be mounted in the sink itself. Extremely heavy. Reinforced cabinetry is required, and professional installation is highly recommended.

Soapstone, also known as Steatite, is softer and denser than some types of rock (hence the name). For centuries, people have cut and carved soapstone for water-carrying purposes.

Pros: Great look and feel. Each unique soapstone sink is made is made by hand. Highly resistant to heat, stains, and chemicals. Easy to clean.

Cons: Limited range of colors. Heavy. The material will patinate (change color slightly) over time. The material is difficult to chip or scratch, but it is possible.

While soapstone is not as hard as granite, it is more pliable. Which means soapstone is less prone to cracking unexpectedly from sudden weight or persistent stress.

Copper is a practical yet unusual kitchen sink material. If you decide to go the copper route, choose 99% copper rather than a low-grade alternative.

Pros: Durable. Naturally anti-bacterial. Does not rust. Different surface texture and polishing options.

Cons: Requires extra care when cleaning. The surface can react to chemicals and hot pans, and thinner copper surfaces can bend and dent.

Sinks made of natural stone, marble, quartz, and other solid materials can be a true luxury, especially if your sink and countertop are made of identical materials.

Pros: Seamless flow from countertop to sink. Ideal for modern kitchens. Easy to clean.

Cons: Expensive and often heavy. Custom cabinetry and professional installation are usually required. The material may chip or stain (depending on what it is), though natural patterning may help conceal damage.

Kitchen Sink Prices

How much does a new kitchen sink cost? The size, style, and material you choose impact price considerably. We don’t know what type of sink you want, so we obviously can’t give you a specific price quote. But here are some guidelines to help you make an intelligent estimate.

A cheap, single-bowl stainless steel sink can cost as little as $50; a double-bowl adds 20 dollars or more to the price. A handmade stainless steel sink from a name brand like Kraus could run you $300 or more.

Acrylic sink prices range from under $100 to about $300. Budget-minded consumers appreciate their acrylic options.

Composite granite kitchen sink prices start around $175 and reach up to $600. Quartz composite kitchen sinks cover a similar range, but they’re likely to start at a minimum cost of over $200.

Fireclay is a favorite, but at a range of $400 to $1,000, it isn't cheap. Soapstone is perhaps the Rolls Royce of materials. A slab model starts around $1,000; a carved version costs several times that much. Marble and other solids are equally expensive.

If you want enameled cast iron, expect to pay between $200 and at least $700.

A sink with a porcelain finish can be relatively cheap, but you can also find those that cost several thousand dollars.

Copper sinks range from $500 to $1,400, depending on size and finish.

All considerations of size, shape, material, and cost aside, be sure to check for the functionality of the sink you buy.

The five sinks featured in our matrix deliver the combination of quality, style, and value we demand before we make a recommendation.

While the majority of homeowners will be able to find their perfect fit, those with even larger budgets may want to explore more luxurious options. The good news is, if you have the money, you can have precisely the kitchen sink you dream of.

Kitchen Sink Cleaning Tips

First and foremost, you should always follow the instructions provided by your sink’s manufacturer.

The following cleaning tips are tried and tested, but if in doubt, always consult a qualified professional!

Your sink may not be as clean as you think. The National Health Service in the UK estimates there are 100,000 times more germs in your kitchen sink than in your toilet!

Address spills immediately to minimize the chance of staining.

Use a soft cloth or non-abrasive pad on your sink’s surface. Never use a scouring pad.

Most sink surfaces require a bit of liquid soap for cleaning. Lemon juice and vinegar also do the trick, but both are acids. Never leave an acidic material on your sink’s surface to “soak in” — and never use it on copper.